Is your organization suffering as a result of lackluster data collection capabilities? Explore 5 of the top software options to ensure you are making the best choice for your team and for your company.
The modern manufacturing landscape runs on data. The quality of that data, however, depends heavily on how it was collected, which is why careful consideration of all software options is so essential. The wrong choice could cause unnecessary friction or even result in significant slowdowns and lost efficiency.
More importantly, data collection is an essential aspect of regulatory compliance, explains industry expert Amy Groden. “Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and serious damage to a company’s reputation," said Groden, "So by collecting and maintaining accurate data, you can ensure that you meet your compliance obligations and can readily demonstrate this compliance when required.”
In this article, you'll learn more about 5 of the leading data collection software suites currently available in the industrial manufacturing space, so you can ensure you're making the right choice for your organization.
Honeycode offers an affordable, stripped-back data management experience. The program is quick to pick up and easy to learn, though the crude interface leaves much to be desired. Additionally, the application offers little in the way of integration, though for smaller operations, this may not be a problem. As a dynamic, low-budget option, Honeycode still stands as a solid choice.
Another widely-used software suite, Appian, can be used to dynamically manage workflows, at the cost of limited integrations and a lack of scaling capabilities. Appian is at its best when deployed in a specialty development environment as a foundation for other applications. Naturally, this requires some coding knowledge, but for mid-market businesses, the suite can be a valuable workflow control tool.
As a much more robust offering, Alpha Software presents a significant depth of features, albeit at a higher price point. The suite allows for feature and group tracking, data encryption, field access management, and full customization, though it does require a significant level of coding knowledge to use effectively. The software package is also highly scalable, and can be just as useful for individuals as it can be for large manufacturing operations.
This option has been built around the Microsoft ecosystem, seeking to simplify the development experience and cut down on coding time. PowerApps offers 250 built-in connectors and was recently updated with AI capabilities for greater efficiency. Those operating in a Microsoft development environment are well-served by this software package, which is also available at a number of different price points.
Our final entry, Zoho Create, is the most expensive of all the packages, but is also the most user-friendly. The software includes a range of easy-to-use pre-built templates, allowing users to build high-quality applications in a reduced timeframe. However, the cost may be a barrier to small organizations, and those with data collection needs that fall outside the scope of the software's included presets will reach the limits of what Zoho Create can do fairly quickly.
To wrap things up, it's important to acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to data collection. Every team has different needs, different budgets, and different skill levels, making the diversity of options available in this not only beneficial, but also necessary.
All of the options listed above are right for somebody, but none are right for everybody. Remember to research thoroughly before making any software purchase; the future of your organization could depend on it!
